🕹️ Exhibit: Sony PlayStation 2 (2000–2013)
Released: March 4, 2000 (Japan) · November 2000 (UK)
Manufacturer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Units Sold: 155 million worldwide
Status: Best-selling home console of all time
The Console That Defined a Generation
When Sony launched the PlayStation 2 in 2000, nobody quite anticipated what was about to happen. The PS2 didn't just win a console war — it redefined what a games console could be. It was a DVD player, a gaming machine, and a cultural phenomenon all rolled into one sleek black box.
At a time when standalone DVD players cost hundreds of pounds, the PS2 offered the same functionality at a competitive price point. Families bought it as much for movie nights as for gaming sessions. It was a Trojan horse of entertainment — and it worked spectacularly.
By the Numbers
- 🏆 155 million units sold — more than any home console in history
- 🎮 4,000+ games in its library across 13 years of production
- 📀 Built-in DVD player — a first for a mainstream games console
- 🌍 Launched in 29 countries within its first year
- ⏱️ 13 years of production — Sony didn't stop making PS2s until January 2013
Iconic Games That Defined the Era
The PS2 library is arguably the greatest in gaming history. A few highlights:
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — open-world storytelling at its finest
- Shadow of the Colossus — a masterpiece of minimalist game design
- God of War — brutal, cinematic, and utterly gripping
- Kingdom Hearts — Disney meets Final Fantasy in the most unexpected way
- Pro Evolution Soccer 6 — still debated as the greatest football game ever made
- Ico — a quiet, emotional puzzle adventure ahead of its time
The Variants: Which PS2 Is Right for You?
The PS2 came in two main forms — each with its own character:
PS2 Fat (SCPH-30000 to SCPH-50000)
The original chunky design. Beloved for its expansion bay, which allows HDD upgrades and Free McBoot installation. The Fat is the modder's PS2 of choice — capable of running games from an internal hard drive without discs.
Want the ultimate plug-and-play experience? → Shop our PS2 HDD Gaming System — pre-loaded with 130+ games and HDMI-ready out of the box.
Already own a PS2 Fat and want to upgrade it? → Shop our PS2 HDD Upgrade Kit — everything you need to add HDD gaming to your existing console.
PS2 Slim (SCPH-70000 onwards)
Sleeker, lighter, and quieter. The Slim dropped the expansion bay but gained a smaller footprint perfect for modern living rooms. Ideal for plug-and-play retro gaming without the bulk.
Collector's Corner: The Rarest PS2s
Beyond the standard black console, Sony produced a remarkable range of limited edition variants — many of which are now highly sought after by collectors:
- Aqua Blue — a translucent blue PAL variant, rare in the UK. Fully UK compatible and one of the most visually striking PS2s ever made.
- Frost White — Japanese import, stunning in person. NTSC-J region with UK power adaptation.
- Gundam Edition — sealed, boxed, and among the most valuable PS2s in existence. A genuine investment-grade collector's piece.
- Toys R Us Edition — a retail exclusive that almost nobody has seen in the wild. One of the rarest PS2 variants ever produced.
At RetroReplay UK, we stock several of these collector variants — from Grade A refurbished everyday players to sealed museum-quality pieces. → Browse all Custom & Modded PS2 builds
Why the PS2 Still Matters in 2026
The PS2 isn't just nostalgia. Its library holds up. Its build quality — particularly the Fat models — is legendary. And with Free McBoot and HDD upgrades, a modern PS2 can play your entire library from a hard drive with zero load times.
It's a console that rewards rediscovery. Whether you played it the first time around or you're experiencing it fresh, the PS2 delivers in ways that many modern consoles simply don't.
Own a Piece of History
Every PS2 in our collection is fully tested, cleaned, and graded before dispatch. From budget-friendly entry-level bundles to rare collector editions, we have the PS2 for every type of enthusiast.